WHEAT SURPLUS

Hokitika Guardian, 18 May 1933, Page 5

WHEAT SURPLUS

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(Per Press Association Copyright.)

WELLINGTON, May 17

The carriage in bulk from Nerv Zealand of grain cargoes has been decided on and, regulations governing grain shipping in bulk similar to those operating at Canadian and Australian ports, have been issued by the Government.

It is explained by the Minister of Marine that the object of the regulations is primarily to provide for the safety of the ship and to prevent the cargo shifting. Cases were on record of ships with a cargo of bulk grain capsizing through the cargo shifting.

Two vessels have been chartered for the shipment of wheat in bulk. They are to lend at Lyttelton and Timaru. The regulation*) are issued in view of tlie sale recently of quantities of wheat for shipment overseas. The regulations provide for the longitudinal division of the holds into grain-tight compartments, these to be filled to the decks. Feeders are are to be built ’tween decks, so that as the cargo in the lower hold settles', the compartments are kept full. These feeders ore to cent"in at least two per cent of the quantity of grain carried in the compartmc-ts they feed. There are no facilities in New Zealand for loading direct in bulk, but it is proposed to carry the grain, to the hatches in bags, whence it will be emptied, thus saving the shippers a considerable amount by the cost of bags, making it possible for the ship to carry mci’re; //•